Thunderbird Academy introduced a virtual classroom this school year. The main purpose of the program is to provide classes for students in other Adventist schools without the cost of hiring an additional teacher.

This first year, TAA is working with Glenview Academy, 25 miles across town, to provide two classes — English 3 with ESL instructor Erigena Millan-Coffey, and computer instruction with Chris Canine, who is also the IT director.

"Providing for the educational needs of our Arizona constituents in the 21st century has given us an opportunity to stream class delivery in real-time between Thunderbird and Glenview academies," says Ivan Weiss, superintendent of schools for the Arizona Conference. "We are so fortunate that Barry Warren, principal at TAA, and Gus Martin, principal at GAA, have been willing to develop and pilot this program between the two schools. Once the virtual classroom is in place, other Adventist schools, as well as home school students, will be able to take advantage of this educational delivery system. This allows us to reach every Adventist student in Arizona."

"We installed the necessary equipment in one classroom at Thunderbird and one at Glenview Academy with wiring help from Jim Pearson of Thunderbird," said Canine. "The virtual classroom equipment includes cameras, a plasma monitor and video projector, so instructors in both classrooms can see and hear each other. Students and the instructor can have an ongoing dialogue just as they would in a regular classroom."

Plans are to expand the virtual classroom. Other Adventist schools throughout the state and smaller schools in California have requested information on how they can be involved.

"This is the Lord's work we're doing, and we want to use the most positive, effective and up-to-date methods possible to reach students," said Coffey.

The virtual classes begin as any other would. Attendance is taken. The class begins with both groups participating with prayer requests, and the instructor leading out in prayer. Interaction is the key, and all classrooms involved can hear and see each other. They can show their work and give demonstrations.

New technology is usually a challenge, and it often takes time for students to get used to new programs. Although the initial buy-in can cost several thousand dollars, good quality equipment pays off in the long run.

In one of the classes, a student from the "on-screen classroom" asks a question, and Millan-Coffey teases, "You need to enunciate. I can't see your mouth moving from here."

The virtual classroom has also been used for parent-teacher conferences, board meetings and other conferences this year.

"Our goal is to continue with this ‘wave of the future'" said Weiss, "and make classroom education available for those who would miss out otherwise — for use with mission trips, students unable to attend classes because of illness, and a variety of situations."